11 charged with cocaine trafficking across state, including Westchester

Eleven suspects face charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine from the Bronx, through the Hudson Valley -- including Westchester County -- and up to Albany, federal and local law enforcement authorities announced Thursday.

The suspects are accused of conspiring to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, five kilos or more of cocaine in an operation dubbed the Orloff Organization.

"These arrests are the product of the ongoing and unparalleled cooperation between our office and the Westchester District Attorney's Office, and between federal and local law enforcement authorities," said Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

All eleven charged in indictments unsealed Thursday were arrested. Ten of them were presented in federal court in White Plains before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison. One defendant is scheduled to be presented Friday before the judge.

State and federal law enforcement officers also executed search warrants at 24 locations and in four vehicles. These searches resulted in the seizure of more than $800,000 in cash, more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, about 40 pounds of marijuana, eight firearms, several kilo presses and other drug-trafficking paraphernalia.

The cocaine was stashed at a residence on Orloff Avenue in the Bronx from last year until April, according to the indictment.

Tarrytown Police Chief Chief Scott W. Brown, speaking for the Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force, said: "We are extremely proud of our officers and grateful for the assistance and cooperation of all agencies involved. The dedication and diligence of these law enforcement professionals will have a significant impact on the flow of illegal drugs in our communities."

The agencies involved in the investigation included the FBI; the police departments of Greenburgh, Yonkers, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, North Castle, Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown; the Westchester District Attorney's Office; the New York State Police; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; and the New York Police Department.